If you remember all the way back to the end of last year, Kaffaljidhma’s first of three demo tapes released in 2016 made it on my best-of list. Their brand of shimmering and melodious raw black metal entranced me from minute one, and I’ve been dying to hear more from this project since the last demo went up. Now, one year since III, we finally have another release from this project, and one that continues the band’s streak of excellence. Consisting of one single long-form song, titled “Alphecca of the Northern Crown, Sequestered in an Alcove of Lustrous Spires,” sole member Olibanum (credited here as ‘T.’) makes the normally harsh, blown-out sound of raw black metal work to the advantage of the music. Think early Darkthrone aesthetics meets Alcest radiance and you won’t be far off. The hiss serves to cloak the instruments in a haze like a mist after rainfall and let the brilliant melodies be the rainbows that break through the clouds. This is as brilliant a release as any in the band’s short but sweet discography, and I urge you to check it all out.

Today’s drink is another West Coast style IPA, this time from San Diego’s Saint Archer Brewery. The Citra 7 is an IPA that features the special release Idaho 7 hop variety paired in conjunction with Citra hops (hence the name). The resulting brew is a perfect example of the West Coast style and makes for everything I love in an IPA. Bitter lemon hops fade into smooth apricot while retaining enough of a piney bite to give some depth to the flavor, and the finish is dry and crisp. The Idaho 7 hops compliment and balance the often assertive flavor of the Citra hops perfectly. This is a great beer to reach for in the California heat, and despite being 7% ABV, this is very easily sessionable.

Another week has passed us by, and another evening of booze and tunes is behind us. Our time together is done, but I’m about to crack another beer open and find some more music to get into. I’d encourage you all to do the same. Until next we meet,